FLAC3D Modeling • Introduction

Guide to the FLAC3D Documentation

The FLAC3D Version 7.0 Help documents contain the complete documentation for the program.

  • The documentation is accessible instantly and directly from the program (use the Help ‣ Help menu command).
  • It is integrated with the commands and FISH functions via the Inline Help utility; access to reference documentation is nearly instantaneous and fully targeted.
  • It contains a built-in Search box at the top right of any page.
  • Each page may be scanned for content using the browser Find dialog (use Ctrl + F to access).
  • Material in the documentation can be easily copied and pasted if needed.
  • It provides a single source for all program documentation.
  • It contains a feedback mechanism to allow users to provide comments on the material presented (see the link “Was this helpful? …” at the bottom of every page).

The organization of this section of the FLAC3D documentation is as follows.

FLAC3D
This is the “front page” for the FLAC3D-specific documentation. For convenience it provides two tables as an access point for all major commands and FISH functions used by FLAC3D. The other major sections of the documentation are either specific to other Itasca numerical modeling codes, with which FLAC3D is integrated (the PFC and 3DEC sections), or are devoted to aspects of the software that are shared by all the numerical codes (Program Guide and Scripting).
FLAC3D Modeling
This section is a user’s guide specific to FLAC3D. It provides a general Introduction to FLAC3D. The Tutorials section that follows is the best place to begin getting hands-on experience with the program. The Problem Solving with FLAC3D section examines each of the major steps in the FLAC3D modeling process with detailed consideration.
FLAC3D Theory and Background
The theoretical formulation for FLAC3D is described in detail in this section. This includes both the description of the mathematical model that describes the mechanics of a system and the numerical implementation. Reference information on the interface logic and factor of safety calculations is included here. The material here closely corresponds to the content formerly presented in the print manual volumes Theory and Background, Fluid-Mechanical Interaction, and Constitutive Models.
FLAC3D Commands and FISH
This section provides the core description of FLAC3D model objects (zones, structural elements, building-blocks, and extrusions), and reference documentation for all the commands and FISH functions used with them.
Options
All material pertaining to the options (C++ Option, Thermal Analysis, Creep, Dynamic Analysis) for FLAC3D are documented here.
Examples
An extensive set of examples is provided here. The projects for all of them are included with the program and are accessible from the Help ‣ Examples… command. The material here closely corresponds to and expands on what was formerly presented in the print manual volumes Example Applications and Verification Problems.
Index: Examples
This page categorically lists all examples that appear in the documentation.

User Support

We believe that the support Itasca provides to code users is a major reason for the popularity of our software. We encourage you to contact us when you have a modeling question. We will provide a timely response via telephone, email or fax. General assistance in the installation of FLAC3D on your computer, plus answers to questions concerning capabilities of the various features of the code, are provided free of charge. Technical assistance for specific user-defined problems can be purchased on an as-needed basis.

The first place to look for support is through the Technical Support Dialog built into the user interface, available in the program menu at “Help/Request Technical Support…”

If that does not work for some reason, or if you wish to communicate via phone or email, please contact us.

Itasca Consulting Group
111 Third Avenue South, Suite 450
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401 USA
Phone: (+1) 612-371-4711
Fax: (+1) 612-371-4717
Email: software@itascacg.com
Web: www.itascacg.com

We also have a worldwide network of code agents who provide local technical support. Details may be obtained from Itasca. Note that, in general, we prefer to provide support via email, and we will also generally forward your question to the software agent responsible for your region.

More information about support and related tasks (updating the software, identifying version and license numbers, etc.) is available in the Support sub-section of the Program Guide section.